Don Whitney had a link to this video on how Mariano Rivera, arguably the greatest closer in the history of MLB, is so dominating. The video highlights his famous pitch, the cutter. For those of you who are Yankee haters, you have appreciate what Rivera does. Enjoy.
Weekend Prep – Put to Death/Put On
In thinking about the coming Lord’s Day (July 4), I found this post from Ray Van Neste helpful on following the Trinity Psalter’s recommendation to sing Psalm 46 to the tune of America the Beautiful. Maybe you could use this in your own preparation for worship this weekend.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and our strength,
In straits a present aid;
2 and, therefore, tho’ the Earth remove
We will not be afraid;
Tho’ hills amidst the seas be cast,
3 tho’ troubled waters roar,
Yea, tho’ the swelling Billows shake
The mountains on the shore.4 A river is whose streams make glad
The city of our God,
The holy place wherein the Lord
Most High has His abode.
5 Yea, God is in the midst of her;
Unmoved she stands alway;
And God will surely grant her help
Before the break of day.6 The nations raged; the
Kingdoms moved;
And when the earth had heard
The mighty voice He sent abroad
It melted at His word.
7 The LORD of hosts is on our side
Our safety to secure;
The God of Jacob is for us
A refuge strong and sure.8 O come, behold what Wondrous works
Have by the LORD been wrought;
Come, see what desolations great
He on the earth has brought.
9 To utmost ends of all the earth
Wars unto peace He turns;
The bow He breaks, the spear He cuts,
In fire the char-iot burns.10 Be still and know that I am God;
Among the nations I
Will be exalted; I on earth
Will be exalted high.
11 The LORD of hosts is on our side.
Our safety to secure;
The God of Jacob is for us
A refuge strong and sure.
As for us, our morning service will direct us into Colossians 3:5-17, where I intend to survey these verses for practical ways to seek the things that are above.
We will have no service in the evening in light of the holiday.
I’m back…
So, I’m back from vacation, fairly rested and ready to return to work. Have had a full day. A new telephone system was put in place at work (our old one was struck by lightning and inoperable). We also had a boiler inspection at 11AM. Painting was happening. Internet was out and fixed around 2:30. I’ve proctored a test for someone, got a crown put in on a tooth and have an adjustment with my chiropractor shortly.
On top of all this (and the obvious reason for the picture) is that we found out today Meghan is pregnant with child #3. We’ll see what we can find out in the coming days about specifics. But, for now, we are full with praise to God for again giving us conception (see Ruth 4:13 for proof that God is the One ultimately behind this).
Vacation – Summer 2010
After yesterday’s AM service, we left for vacation. So…posts may be sporadic. We traveled yesterday to Springfield, MO and will be in Branson for a bit, then STL, then to my Mom’s for the weekend. Pray that God would give me a servant’s heart toward my family and give physical rest and refreshment of spirit.
Weekend Recap – Appear
Yesterday’s sermon, Appear, from Colossians 3:3-4 is now online. Coupled with Colossians 3:1-2, these verses form the foundation for all the practical exhortations found in chapters 3 and 4. It was a full and glorious Lord’s day.
I really sensed, in my own heart, that I am much to wrapped up in the here and now and not focused and devoted to the lasting, permanent realities found in Christ. I must cling to Him.
Looking heavenward because our future is so bright…
As we prep for Sunday morning, there is great grace for us in Colossians 3:3-4. We will be thinking about the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ someday. I am anticipating a great Lord’s day. I hope there is much encouragement to be had for us as a people in light of the great truths we will see if God’s Word. In preparation, read back over Colossians 1 and 2 and then these first verses of chapter 3 and have your heart ready to receive from Him.
On Church Involvement
Here’s a great clip from Mark Driscoll on what to do when the church doesn’t feel like family. As a pastor, I get to hear critical comments often from people who wish the church could be this or that and often it comes from people who are not involved. Driscoll’s words are really timely for those of us who aren’t involved. Let this challenge you to a deeper commitment.
Healthy Evangelism and the Local Church…
Just finished reading J. Mack Stiles book Marks of the Messenger: Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel. In one particularly moving section filled with application on how evangelism relates the local church, he gave 16 Ways to Demonstrate Love and Unity in the Church and In So Doing Become a Healthy Evangelist:
1) Attend a church that takes the gospel seriously (Hebrews 10:25). Treat form as secondary, the gospel as primary. Incense and candles, rock band worship, liturgy, Gregorian chants, a pastor with tattoos…these are “form” and therefore secondary. Clear gospel proclamation from the leadership is primary.
2) Become an actual member of a church. I’m serious; membership shows your loving commitment to one another. This is truly radical. Go against the grain and show that you are really crazy in love with Jesus and join a church. And just think, the less cool the church the more opportunity to demonstrate real love!
3) Read C.J. Mahaney’s book Humility once a year. This book is a powerhouse of practical help for anyone who desires to be great in the kingdom of God. Mahaney gives us practical tools for demonstrating love and unity in the context of community.
4) Turn down jobs that might take you away from church even if they pay more.
5) Arrange family vacations around your church’s schedule. Or better yet, take your family on a short-term mission trip with other members instead of a family vacation. This will blow people’s minds.
6) If your church doesn’t have a church covenant, think about developing one that expresses your love for each other.
7) Move to a house closer to the church and use your house as a place of hospitality (Romans 12:13).
8) Practice church discipline. It’s biblical (Matthew 18:15-17). This is truly, off-the-charts radical. Church discipline is not usually what people think it is; the goal of church discipline is always to restore, not to punish. You may offend people, but then again you may save some from living a hell on earth.
9) Respect, even revere, the authority in the church (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
10) Turn heads–really practice the biblical teachings of giving and receiving forgiveness. Be quick to forgive others (Ephesians 4:32). Be quick to say you’re sorry (Matthew 5:23-24). Forgiveness may be one of the most radical ways to express love and unity in a congregation, and it’s rarely practiced.
11) Take care of people who are in need physically in your congregation (Romans 12:13).
12) Pray for each other (Ephesians 6:18). Don’t just say you’ll pray. Actually put into place some ways to pray for each and every member.
13) Sympathize with other believers (Romans 12:15). Check a critical spirit.
14) Focus on caring for one another spiritually by discipling one another (Galatians 6:1-2). Though discipling only looks like having lunch, it’s secretly and subversively radical. Over a Caesar salad ask the dangerous question: “How’re things spiritually?”
15) Share your faith together (Philippians 1:27). A loving church committed to each other will see the Lord add to their numbers (Acts 2:42-47). Involve your friends at church with your evangelism.
16) Read Mark Dever’s 9 Marks of a Healthy Church.J. Mack Stiles, Marks of the Messenger (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2010), pp.107-109
Which of these things need to be applied into your life? Let’s show the world we’re Jesus’ disciples by practicing active love and demonstrating unity toward one another.
Voyage of the Dawn Treader Trailer
(HT: Z)
Mark Driscoll with Wayne and Margaret Grudem
Another amazing video comes from Resurgence. Mark Driscoll interviews Wayne and Margaret Grudem on marriage and family. Great stuff.
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